Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Alone in the Wilderness













If you are searching for a great and inspiring log cabin documentary, then I highly recommend "Alone in the Wilderness" the story of Dick Proenneke. Dick was 50 years old when in 1967, he set off to Alaska to build his own log cabin. It is amazing to watch him prepare the logs, fashion door latches and kitchen tools out of wood and live off the land. I especially enjoyed his footage of the moose, bear and other animals he encountered.

"To live in a pristine land unchanged by man...
to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed...
to choose an idyllic site, cut trees and build a log cabin...
to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available...
to be not at odds with the world, but content with one's own thoughts and company...
Thousands have had such dreams, but Dick Proenneke lived them. He found a place, built a cabin, and stayed to become part of the country."
-Sam Keith

Here's the link to the video: http://www.dickproenneke.com/DickProenneke.html

6 comments:

Cliff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cliff said...

Dick Proennekes' story is absolutely inspiring.

reliv4life said...

I love that story!! It made me think building our house was a breeze...at least we didn't have to create our own hinges for doors, etc... thanks for the reminder!

violetlady said...

I love his story. I have seen it on PBS several times. Have you read Woodswoman by Anne LaBastille?

Jessica said...

I watched his documentary on public television a few years ago and since them I have been so intrigued by him. I've read his book too. Amazing.

Anonymous said...

I loved his creativeness, making flower boxes, spoons, bowls, a meat thing on stilts, it was amazing to watch him hand craft all of the necessities and more to a home. I read that he donated the cabin to something in Alaska so that people can now go and see it.